Designed for
Independence.
Founded by Sandi DeRuntz · For Us by Us
"Independence shouldn't ask you to trade away your identity."
Created to make
everyday dressing easier.
ZipperBuddy was created to make everyday dressing easier, more dignified, and more independent for people navigating mobility or dexterity challenges. What began as a personal need grew into a larger mission: helping people keep the clothes they love while gaining a better way to fasten them.
Built as a simple, user-friendly solution, ZipperBuddy transforms traditional zippers into an easy, one-handed experience — eliminating frustration and reducing reliance on others. It allows individuals to continue wearing their favorite jackets and hoodies without any permanent modifications, making accessibility both practical and inclusive.
At its core, ZipperBuddy is about restoring confidence in everyday routines — offering comfort, freedom, and independence through thoughtful design that truly understands real-life challenges.



A gap that was
impossible to ignore.
ZipperBuddy's early development began through adaptive design work at UMass Lowell, where a real-world challenge around one-handed jacket fastening made a larger gap in everyday clothing impossible to ignore.
What started as a design response to a specific mobility barrier revealed something much bigger: many people are forced to choose between independence, comfort, and the clothes that feel like themselves.
The first prototype was built to respond to that need. From there, the idea continued to grow through lived experience, testing, and community feedback.
"This isn't about fixing people. It's about fixing design."
Designed for
the many, not the few.
Although ZipperBuddy grew from personal lived experience, its purpose has always been broader. It was built for people with limited mobility or dexterity, stroke survivors reclaiming their daily independence, and those living with arthritis or joint pain. It's equally a tool for older adults who want something simple and discreet, for caregivers looking to give the people they support more autonomy, and for families helping loved ones hold onto the routines that matter most to them.
From Idea to Impact
Engineering Prototyping Competition 2023
1st Place
Built the first working prototype of ZipperBuddy — where the idea became real.
50k Idea Challenge 2024
Contribution to a Healthier Lifestyle Award
Recognized for improving independence, dignity, and everyday accessibility.
Legal Services Prize 2024
Award Recipient
Supported the patenting and protection of ZipperBuddy’s innovation.
Boston University IdeaCon 2024
Ignite Speaker
Selected to share the story behind ZipperBuddy on a national stage.
UMass Lowell 2025
Chancellors Medal for Diversity & Inclusion
Honoring leadership in accessibility, advocacy, and inclusive design.
REMARKABLE Pre-ACCELLERATOR 2024
Global Pre-Accelerator
Selected for a global program supporting disability-led innovation.
NSF I-Corps UML Program 2024
Entrepreneurial Training
Participated in NSF I-Corps, gaining tools to evaluate market potential and advance ZipperBuddy toward real-world use.
New England Fashion Week 2025
Featured Designer
Showcased ZipperBuddy on the runway, bringing adaptive fashion into a traditional fashion space. Sponsored by HumanKind Casting.
Engineering Prototyping Competition 2023
1st Place
Built the first working prototype of ZipperBuddy — where the idea became real.
50k Idea Challenge 2024
Contribution to a Healthier Lifestyle Award
Recognized for improving independence, dignity, and everyday accessibility.
Legal Services Prize 2024
Award Recipient
Supported the patenting and protection of ZipperBuddy’s innovation.
Boston University IdeaCon 2024
Ignite Speaker
Selected to share the story behind ZipperBuddy on a national stage.
UMass Lowell 2025
Chancellors Medal for Diversity & Inclusion
Honoring leadership in accessibility, advocacy, and inclusive design.
REMARKABLE Pre-ACCELLERATOR 2024
Global Pre-Accelerator
Selected for a global program supporting disability-led innovation.
NSF I-Corps UML Program 2024
Entrepreneurial Training
Participated in NSF I-Corps, gaining tools to evaluate market potential and advance ZipperBuddy toward real-world use.
New England Fashion Week 2025
Featured Designer
Showcased ZipperBuddy on the runway, bringing adaptive fashion into a traditional fashion space. Sponsored by HumanKind Casting.
